Game Recap: Calgary Flames Visit Colorado Avalanche, Iginla Couldn’t Find 600 Against Former Team

Game Summary

The Calgary Flames visited the Colorado Avalanche last night as they were hoping to end a 2 game skid and Jarome Iginla was looking to earn his 600th goal – and try, he did! With his teammates backing him up and passing to him as often as they could, Iggy just couldn’t find the back of the net in the 4-0 blowout by the Flames.

Karri Ramo started in net for the visiting team who faced former Calgary Flames Blake Comeau, Alex Tanguay, and Jarome Iginla.

The first period didn’t start out well for the Flames as Avs tough guy, Mitchell took out Mark Giordano, leading to a Flames PP that produced no goals. It was a penalty-fest as every little call was made by the refs. The home team took another penalty when there was a slash that broke Lance Bouma’s stick. With that PP for Calgary, they opened the scoring when Dougie Hamilton buried one after a sad attempt to clear by Landeskog that landed right on the stick of Hamilton. And then the Flames went on the defensive as Markus Granlund went to the box for holding. Usually Grans is much more subtle with his actions on the ice, but not this time. This was when it was clear that Iggy’s teammates were willing to do whatever it took to get the vet his 600th goal against his former team – how poetic. Later in the period, Markus Granlund exchanged heated words and a few shoves with Jarome Iginla, which instinctively made me hold my breath in fear – everyone knows that an angry Iggy equals a productive Iggy. After Mitchell drew a penalty against the Flames, it was safe to say that Mitchell was the bad-guy of the game and the Flames played accordingly. It was 1-0 Calgary to end the first 20 minutes.

After a lot of back and forth play, Josh Jooris in his return to the Flames lineup deflected a shot from Giordano that led to the Flames 2nd goal. Mikael Backlund and Michael Ferland worked well together during the middle frame and Lance Bouma was a master on the forecheck. The 3rd Flames goal was a premature celebration of a Bouma goal but credit was given to Matt Stajan after the review showed that it didn’t touch Lance’s stick. Backlund would add to the tally with another goal before the end of the period, making it 4-0 heading into the final 20 minutes of regulation.

As disorganized as it was, the Avalanche put on some pressure, not to be pushed around by Calgary. They hit a few posts, but just couldn’t find the back of the net. Mitchell was at it again when he slashed Dennis Widema’s stick in two and put the Flames on the offensive again. There were no goals during this power play even though the Flames did a great job of keeping it in the Avs end and creating chances on net. Bouma had a chance during a 1 on 1, but waited too long to take a shot and lost his chance. It was noticed that Jiri Hudler was suddenly absence from the bench, to which the Flames explained that he had a nagging injury and he left the game for precautionary reasons. Not long after, Bouma was clothes-lined in front of the net which caught him right in the mouth and drew blood. Even though the hit was unintentional, it was still a 4 minute penalty on the Avalanche. Nothing came of the power play, but the Flames earned the shutout with a 4-0 win.

The Calgary Flames played a good game of disciplined hockey. The third and fourth lines were the most productive lines and the Calgary Flames didn't allow Jarome to net his 600th goal on their watch. (Sorry, Iggy!)

Flame Of The Game
Josh Jooris. For a guy who hasn't played since December 20th, 2015, he made quite a statement last night. With a goal and an assist, he battled hard to earn them both. His +2 rating proved that he was in it to win it during his 13:54 ice time. He was a leader on the face-off dot with 80% wins and he made a lot of good plays that proved he should stay in the lineup as long as he keeps up this kind of play.

Up Next
The Flames return home to Calgary to face the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday, January 5th, 2016.

by Traci Kay